(Left) Second-place finisher Mike Klopp
(1) leads winner Mike McKee (99A)
through the late laps of the 600cc A race
at the Trail-Way Short Track in Hanover,
Pennsylvania. McKee also took the 250cc
A race, finishing in front of Jim Haas.
(Below left) Jack Stedding (31) leads the
way In the 200cc A class at the Kevin
McNicholas Memorial Benefit Short Track
in Timonium, Maryland.
ry competition, Mike Klopp and Bob Sweeten,
erashed in seperate lncidents. Hollister quicldy
pulled away from Todd Stith, Brian Eclchart and
Tom McGrane Jr. Teammates McGrane and
Klopp got by Eckhart on the third lap and then
moved up to pressure Stith for second, Klopp
taking that position on the last lap.
Results
Friday
JO+; t. Bob Sweeten CRtx); 2. Bob Babcock (Rtx); 3. Bnan Eckhart (Rc:x): 4 Clarence Bull (Hon); S. John f-Iendcnon (Rtx).
55 (4-6): I. Da5t: Tasker (Yam); 2. O\ad Uhlft' (Yam); 3. Todd
Crenshaw (l.rm); 4. TtilVI5 Rudd (Yam); 5. joIh Divis (Yam).
55 (7-8): 1. john Davu (Cob); 2. Kholas Ktau. CLEM); 3.
ltching hU:n with only two
laps left in the race. Klopp managed to retake his
lead for a short time, only to have it stolen away
again by McKee on the third turn of the final
lap, McKee taking the win by mere incl,es.
In the 600cc Pro Iinal Yoder slaTted on the
outside and led Kendig. John Winsett, and Libhart throughout the opening lap. Kendig began
to drop back as Gary Clark joined in the battle
for second. Libhart slipped under Winsett to
take the second position coming off of turn two
of the fifth lap, with Oark coming along for the
ride. Yoder took the victory, followed by Libhart
in second and Clark in third. Kendig and Winsettlinished fourth and fifth, respectively.
Results
Levert, Niederberger, Mellor
big winners at Seattle RR
By Paul Weiss
......
[Jl
~
~
48
SEA1TLE, WA.jULYl3-14
Rich Levert, Swiss Niederberger and Tom Mellor were the overall winners in the 25Occ, 500cc,
and Open Vintage chlsses, respectively, in the
Washington Motorcycle Roadracing Association's fiIst annual All Vintage Day held at the
Seattle lntemational Raceway.
The first race of the day was the Vintage
250cc, won by Bruce Bille on his 1996 Suzuki X-6
after a race restart due to oil on the track. However, in the second 250cc race, Bille, the series
points leader, was bested by Rich Levert after
Bille started late.
Bille was dead last on lap one of his second
race, but battled the fierce competition of Til:n
Fowler to climb within striking distance of Rich
Levert and his 1974 Honda CB 500-4 to eventually fmished second. An excellent finish, but not
enough to take the overall win from Levert.
Swiss iederberger led the entire length of
both Vintage 500cc races and clearly proved
hil:nself the overall winner by seeming to navigate effortlessly the racing surface on his BSA
Goldstar. Dan jones narrowly bested Greg Everheart in the first race to take second place, the
two riders battling side by side in the few places
wide enough to allow it on the SIR road
course, and tire-to--tire the rest of the way. Jones
was able to fend off a last-second passing
attempt by Everheart on the front straightaway,
taking the checkered flag for second by a half of
a bike length.
The linishing order in the second 500cc Vintage race was the same as the first, giving series
points leader Niederberger a commanding lead
and allowing Everheart and Jones to move up in
the standings.
Tom Mellor won both Open Vintage-class
races on his 1974 Triumph T-150 to take the
day's overall win. Mellor was closely followed
by series points leader David Kaeche1e, who
earned two third-place finishes on his 1972
BMW R75/5, thus tightening the points race to
a virtualtossup with only two series races left.
Results
VINT 250: 1. Rich Levert (Hon); 2. Bruce Bille (Suz); 3.
Christopher jatne8; 4. Reggie Stone (Hon); 5. TIII\ Fowler (HOn).
VlNT 500: 1. Sw:iM Nicdcrberger (BSA); 2. Greg Evcrheart
(Hon); 3. o..nicl Jane (Han); 4. James Robinson (Due); 5. Len Aa~
tray (f'ri,).
OPEN VINT: 1. Tom Mellor (Tri); 2. Dave Kaechc1e (BMW');
3. Duncan uaick ( ()I'); 4. Jerry Uggett (Tri); 5. Frcd. Eaton (Nor).
125 CP: I. bo Nobi (Han); 2. Christophe!' ~l'ns (Hon>; 3.
Man: Oplinger CHon); 4. Alfred Frank (Han); 5. Gr;lham Buck
(Han).
OPEN SNCL: L Colin Jensen (Due); 2. Christopher Stevens
(Han); 3. Marc Oplinger (Han); 4. Iso Nobi (Hon); 5. AJlTe:I Frank
(Hon).
250 CP: I. Karl Schenk (Yam); 2. Joecph Ferazza (Yam); 3.
Colin Jensen (Due); 4. Mar.k Olson (Han); S. Craig H.ury (Suz).
450 S/DK: 1. Mike WassenuUcr 2. Rick Thompson (Yam); 3.
Matthew Brown (Ynm); 4. Michael Orlen (Yam); 5. Srott Mcneze..-s
(Yam),
450 S/SPRT: I. Matthew Brown (Yam), 2. Michael Orien
(Ylm); 3. jake JeJ'lscn (Yam); 4. Allen Coan. (Yam); 5 Scott
Menezes (Yam)
600 S/BK: 1. Jim Moore CHon), 2. Mike Mitchell (Knw); 3
Mark Gulln (Hon); 4. Tom Snuth (Kaw); 5. Ene Campbell (Hon).
600 S/sPRT; 1. Shawn Roberb (Kaw); 2. Rob Carpenter
(Kaw); 3. Mjke Mitehcll (Kaw); 4. Mark Culm (Han); 5. Tom Smith
(K.lw).
650 TW: I. Ken Botha.m (Hbn); 2. CharlC5 Bumctt (Hon); 3
Stl"Vt' 5ol\lerbn.'")' (Hon); 4. Tyler SAndcl.l (Hon); S. john \1wr (H0n).
150 S/BK: I. jim Moore (Yam); 2. jllSOn PTucr; 3. Mike SuI1i~
van (Yam); 4. jon Burt:nclil (Yam); 5. Gary Rim ; 5. Ste\'e Stallman ~.
BEARS; I. Colin jen5eTl (Dud; 2. George Ledwith (Due); 3.
Amnm IboId (Due); 4. Scott Moon (Due).
F-2: 1. Rob Carpenter (Kaw); 2. Mike Mitchcll (KIIw); 3. Ron
Rowtte (Kaw).
F-l: I. Wa~Chan (Hon);2. Brua: 8iUc (Yam).
F-U/L: I. Mike Sullivan CKaw); 2. jim MQC)ft: (Yam); 3. jason
fraSC' (Yam); 4. Oyde Akers (Kaw); S. Dean Conb (Ouc).
SOO CP: I. Gary IUco (Suz,); 2. Derek Damon (Suz); 3. Eric
Seward oc.w); 4. DlOO Zemger (5uz); 5. joMlhan Stuart (Suz,).
L/W Q.SC; I. jabez HOI.l.!ie (Yam>; 2. Andrew Moon- (Hon).
OPEN CLSC:: 1. Bob tl.brbn (Hon); 2. Rene Pepm (Suz).
OPEN TW: I. Dean Conti (Dud; 2. C«wgt: LedWIth (Dud; 3.
Chari Burnett (Hon); 4. OBvid Morgan S. Tyier SAndeD (Hon).
OPEN s/SPRT: 1. Shawn Roberti.; 2. Mike Sulllvan.(Yam); 3.
Jon Burtnl'88 (Yan\); 4. Gary Ricci (Suzl; 5. Mark Lormtz (Suz).
McKee McDoubles at
Trail-Way Short Track
By Len Breech
HANOVER, PA, JULY 6
Mike McKee sandwiched a pair of wins in the
opening and final races of the night in the 250cc
and 600« A finals at the Trail-Way Short Track.
The 250cc was McKee's typical runaway,
while the 600cc became one of the most exciting
races of the season after three lead charges !>n
the final lap. Also taking double wins were Bob
Sweeten in the Over 30 and Over 40 class, and
Don Prevost again taking the 250cc and 600cc B
finals.
McKee emerged from a closely bunched
pack at the end of the second lap and proceed.ed
to put himse1I in front of Jil:n Haas, Bob Sweeten,
and Tom McGrane, all three of whom fought
250 A: 1. Mike McK.re: (Suz); 2. Jim Hau (Kaw); 3. Bob Sweet:~
m (Hon);4. Tom Mc.Crane Jr. (Yam); 5. IUch Mellingc.T (Yam).
85: 1. Chns Klinefelter (Han); 2. jared Mecs (Kaw); 3. Raymond Urd (Hon); 4. N'"rl Upin CHon); S. Brian Phillip' (Yam).
150 A; 1. Brian Eckhart am.
40+: 1. Bob Sweeten CHon>; 2. Don Prevo6t (Hon),3. run R\l5sell (YU\}; 4.JdfSasuman(Hon); S. Tom Vonderhey (KIIw).
125 B: 1. Raun Wood (Yam); 2. Billy Stillwdl (Suz).
SPTSMN: I. Phil Ubhart (Rl:d; 2. Kenny Yoder (Rtx); 3. Todd
Kt:ndIg CRtx>; 4. Aaron Creamer (Rtx);S. Tom M~mne Jr. (Rtx).
30-4-: 1. Bob Swet-'ten (Rtx); 2. Brian Eckhart (Rtx); 3. jim Chapman (RtxJ; ... John Henderson (Rtx); 5. Ed Hyde (Ra,).
55 (4-6): 1. Chad Uhler (Yam); 2. john Lewis (I~); 3. Brandon
Robinson (Yam); 4. Brandon COf\1ey (Yam); S. Evan SM.'!' ()(TM).
600 B: t. Don Prevost (Hon); 2. Bryon CennC!' (Han); 3. Mike
Wilaon (KTM); 4. Will Rus6eU (Yam); 5. IUchard Tyeryar Jr. CHon).
55 (7-8): 1. Leroy Bus6ey (Yam); 2. NkhoLu KraUIle (LEM); 3.
John Davis (Cob); 4. Nicholas Henderson {Yam}, 5. Chris Shank
(Yam).
600 PRO: 1. Kenny YodL'I' (Rtx); 2. Phil Ubhart (Rtx); 3. Cary
Oork (RW; 4. Todd Kendig (Rb:); S.John Winseu Jr. (Rtx).
~ I. jared Mces «(aw); 2. Shawn Bot-'f (leaw); 3. J~n ben·
nock (Knwl; 4. Mike Brown (Kaw); 5. Zam Cilicutt (K.1W).
250 B: 1. Don Pr~VOflt (Hon); 2. Dilly StiUwcll (Suz); 3. Ken
Miller (Yam); 4. Bruce Miller (Han); 5. Will RU88e1l (Yam).
600 A: '1. Mike McKee (Rtx); 2. Mike Klopp (Hon); 3_ Jim Hollister (Rtx); 4. dallas Bacr (Rtx); 5, Jim Haas (Knw).
Babcock Blasts Timonium
Outdoor Short Track
By Len Breech
TIMONIUM, MD, JUNE 2S-29
After coming ever so close to winning three
finals Friday night but only taking one, Bob Babcock came back and dominated the 30+, 40+ and
400cc dasses Saturday running of the Kevin
McNicholas Memorial Benefit for the Cystic
Fibrosis Foundation.
Babcock was involved in some of the closest
finals of the weekend. In Friday's 30+, he
jumped into the lead over Bob Sweeten and
Brian Eckhart. Sweeten stayed on his tail, taking
the lead with an outside pass, two from the end.
Babcock repassed hU:n on the next lap, but as he
came off the second turn on the final lap, Babcock drifted slightly high, giving Sweeten all the
room he needed. On Saturday, he made sure of
winning as he kept Sweeten several lengths
back.
While the 40+ both nights were wire-to-wire
wins for Babcock, the 400« battle on Friday was
a bam-burner. Babcock and Clarence Bull pulled
quickly away from the field, as they fought over
the lead. On the fourth lap, Bull made his outside line work as he finally took over the lead.
Babcock challenged repeatedly, but would have
to wait until the next day's race to finish first.
Sweeten's 250cc A wins were fairly easy
affairs, as he jumped in front of 'Dale Verzi,
Damian Kocovinos and Rich Mellinger.
Mellinger was the only one to advance as he
moved into third by the end of the third lap,
then second just past hallway. Saturday, he easily won over Verzi and Kocovinos by a straightaway.
Jim Hollister continued his midseason win
streak in the 600cc A class. On Friday his prima-
""""'r (Yam);,. Mogan Hom (Yam); S. NlchoIu Hend~
"'" (lEM).
65: I. Bryan Douglu Of (Han),
600 A: 1. Jim Hollister (Rtx); 2. Mike Klopp (Han); 3. Todd
Stith (Hus); 4. Brian Eckhart (Rt:x); 5, Ed Hyde (Rt:x).
Saturday
30+: 1. Bob Babcock (Rt:x); 2. Bob S~len (RbO; 3. Todd Stith
(Hus); 4. ~ Bull (Hon); S. John Hcndc:non (Rtx).
'
55 (4-6)' 1. Chad Uhler (Yam); 2. Todd Crenodlaw (l.EM); 3.
o.'c Tasker (Yam); 4. Travis Rude! (Yam); S. Evan SIC!' (K1'M).
55 (7-8): 1. john Davis (Cob); 2. Leroy BUSlq' (Yam); 3. Nick
Hendt-'.r9Of\ (Yam); 4. Nick Kr.n15ll! (LEM); S. Megan Hom (Yam).
PRO: I. Mark Mille!' (Rtx); 2. Brian Eckhart (Rtx).
65: 1. :z.ach Cakutt (Kaw); 2. jason I.!ennock (Kaw); 3. Ryan
Henderson (Kaw); 4. Tony Krause' (Kaw); S. Leroy 8us1ley (Kaw).
80; 1. Corey Hannes (Hon,); 2. Chm Klinefelter {Hord; 3. Nick.
Uplr;l (Hon); 4. Derdt Olmtensen (Hon>; S. Zach Calcutt (Hon).
40-4-: 1. Bob B.1boodc (Rbi:); 2. Mike Erving (Rtx); 3. Mike
Keane (H,us); 4, Richard Foard (Rbc,); 5. Ron Morrell (Mon).
200 AlB: 1. Jack Sledding (Yam); 2. Jake johnaon (Hon); 3.
George Cavanaugh (Hon); 4. Ben Miller (yam); S. Bill Kraft (Yam).
250 A:. 1. Bob Swmcn O; S. Tom M~rane Jr. (Rtx>.
Cramps crowned at
Antigo Half Mile
By AI Sumner Jr.
Photo by Ga"Y Weikel
ANTICO, WI, JULY 6-7
For the first time since its inaugural event in
1992, the Wisconsin State Championship
doubleheader weekend was held at the
LangJade County Fairgrounds 'without any
interference from Mother Nature - at least not
unti115 minutes after the final checkered flag of
Saturday night. In all, over 100 riders competed
each day which culminated in the crowning of
the 1996 Wisconsin State Champions.
On Saturday, George istvanek showed why
he is the defending State Champion as he made
quick work of the 250cc Pro class on his Sportland n-sponsored Honda. Behind hU:n, Jeremy
DeRuyter, Todd Kleuver, Rich Janisch and Mike
Bertram foughttooth-and-nail for the runner-up
spot. They linished in that order.
The 600cc Pro dass featured a gross miscarriage of injustice as the runner-up was halfway
to turn one when the green light flashed. Apparently, the threat of rain prohibited a fair start.
Fortunately, Steve Kasten decided that no one
was going to rain on his homecoming parade as
he clawed through the pack and took over the
top spot on lap six. He pulled away to a'Comfortable margin to collect his second Pro win
since returning from a career~threatening neck
injury suffered last year at the laSalle Short
Track Grand ational. Bill Hoffmeister was ab1e
to take the third position away from Don Paul
and Kurt Boelhke.
The tongue-in-eheek line for many years has
been, "In order to make money, you gOlla beat
Jil:n Sumner." Although the source of thotline has
long since been forgotten, it certainly held true as
Jim Sumner devastated the competition on Sunday. He won every time he hit the racetrack and
he did so faster than anyone elsl!, winning the
600cc and 750cc Pro mains.
But the star of the day had to be 16-year-<>ld
Rick Bret!, who claU:ned his first-ever Pro victory
in the 500cc Pro class. He fought back courageously from a midpack start, and haunted eany
leader Bob Ybema for two laps before powering
by out of turn two on lap five. He then turned
up the juice and powered away to a convincing
win. Ybema's runner-up posi.tion, however,
would gamer hU:n the State Championship.
